Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agronomy agronomy	3.3	6.2	2011	17.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Crops crops	-	-	2021	22.1 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Forests forests	2.4	4.4	2010	16.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Plants plants	4.0	6.5	2012	18.9 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

12 pages, 2383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening of Positive Regulatory Stimuli for Stomatal Opening in Chinese Cabbage

by Jin-Yan Zhou, Dong-Li Hao and Ze-Chen Gu

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040914 - 7 Apr 2025

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Increasing the stomatal aperture is a crucial strategy for enhancing the rate of CO₂ absorption, which ultimately contributes to increased plant yield through improved photosynthetic activity. The successful implementation of this strategy depends on the rapid identification of positive regulatory environmental stimuli [...] Read more.

Increasing the stomatal aperture is a crucial strategy for enhancing the rate of CO₂ absorption, which ultimately contributes to increased plant yield through improved photosynthetic activity. The successful implementation of this strategy depends on the rapid identification of positive regulatory environmental stimuli that promote stomatal opening. However, current research on stomatal opening regulation has predominantly focused on Arabidopsis and other crops, with comparatively less attention given to leafy vegetables. In this study, Chinese cabbage was selected as the experimental material. A suitable method for isolating stomata from Chinese cabbage was developed by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of several commonly used stomatal isolation techniques. Subsequently, an effective method for observing stomatal aperture was established through an investigation of the time and concentration dependence on potassium-containing solutions. Utilizing this observation method, the stomatal aperture response to twelve environmental stimuli was examined to facilitate the rapid screening of a formula to enhance stomatal opening. The stomatal aperture observation protocol involved incubating the abaxial epidermis, obtained via the epidermal peeling method, in an opening solution containing 0.5% KCl (pH 6.0) under light for 5 h. The results indicated that stomatal opening is concentration dependent on external environmental stimuli. The exogenous application of 100 µM Ca²⁺ (33.5%), 50 µM brassinosteroid (43.5%), and 10 µM cytokinin (43.4%) resulted in an increase in stomatal aperture of over 30%. This research provides a foundation for manipulating the stomatal opening of Chinese cabbage to enhance production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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20 pages, 2237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Planting Patterns on Growth and Yield Components of Foxtail Millet

by Jiaxin Qiao, Gaofeng Li, Mengyao Liu, Ting Zhang, Yinyuan Wen, Jiagang Wang, Jianhong Ren, Huiling Du, Chunyan Hu and Shuqi Dong

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040840 - 28 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Different cultivation measures, including seeding patterns, plastic film mulching, and drip irrigation, significantly affect crop growth and yield. This study conducted a two-year field experiment, involving eight treatments: hole seeding and drill seeding, mulching and bare land, as well as with and without [...] Read more.

Different cultivation measures, including seeding patterns, plastic film mulching, and drip irrigation, significantly affect crop growth and yield. This study conducted a two-year field experiment, involving eight treatments: hole seeding and drill seeding, mulching and bare land, as well as with and without drip irrigation. Analyzed the impact on agronomic traits, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and yield components during the growth period of foxtail millet. The results of two years indicate that the growth trend of foxtail millet was consistent under both hole seeding and drill seeding. The best performance was achieved with drip irrigation treatment for mulching, followed by drip irrigation for bare land, no drip irrigation for mulching, and no drip irrigation for bare land. In 2024, the maximum yield of HFD in hole seeding pattern was 4627.55 kg/ha. The maximum yield of DFD in drill pattern is 4430.22 kg/ha. In summary, based on the comprehensive optimization of two years of data and the effective accumulated temperature in the local area, the best planting method is hole seeding, mulching, and drip irrigation. In cold and cool regions, mulching with film aids in increasing the accumulated temperature of the tillage layer. Hole seeding is conducive to enhancing seedling quality. Performing drip irrigation once during the late heading stage stimulates the growth and fruiting of foxtail millet, thereby increasing yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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12 pages, 1331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leaf Traits, Biomass Accumulation and Allocation of Gentiana lawrencei Burkill Along an 800 m Elevation Gradient in Alpine Grasslands

by Yuan Yang, Longxin Zhang, Zuoyi Wang, Linlin Shuai, Xiaoying Zhang, Yufang Huang, Ying Wang, Zhen Ma and Chunhui Zhang

Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030723 - 17 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Elevation, as a comprehensive ecological variable, is considered one of the decisive factors in the distribution pattern of plants in a region. We explored changes in functional traits and biomass accumulation and allocation of Gentiana lawrenceni along an elevational gradient and their relationships. [...] Read more.

Elevation, as a comprehensive ecological variable, is considered one of the decisive factors in the distribution pattern of plants in a region. We explored changes in functional traits and biomass accumulation and allocation of Gentiana lawrenceni along an elevational gradient and their relationships. We found that leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) of this species showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with elevation, while leaf thickness and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. As elevation increases, the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and total biomass all decline, and above- and belowground biomass allocation is initially reduced and then rise. Leaf size and LDMC positively affected biomass accumulation, while four leaf traits did not affect biomass allocation. In sum, this study found that there is a threshold at ~3600 m above sea level that causes changes in functional traits and biomass allocation strategies of this species to adapt to harsher high-elevation environments. Gentiana lawrenceni can maintain its biomass accumulation and fitness by adjusting leaf size and LDMC. This study has enhanced our understanding of the changes in functional traits, biomass accumulation and allocation strategies of alpine plants along an elevation gradient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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18 pages, 13362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MIKC-Type MADS-Box Gene Analysis Reveals the Role of PlSOC1 in Bud Dormancy Transition in Herbaceous Peony

by Qiaoyu Huang, Xiaoxuan Chen, Shuyun Zhong, Shuangzhe Wu, Junhong Guo, Qiyao Wang, Jiahe Li, Danqing Li, Yiping Xia, Jiaping Zhang and Xiaobin Wang

Plants 2025, 14(6), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060928 - 15 Mar 2025

Viewed by 590

Abstract

The MIKC-type MADS-box (MIKC) gene family is essential for controlling various plant developmental processes, including flowering time and dormancy transitions. Although the MIKC gene family has been widely studied across different plants, its characterization and functional study in herbaceous peony remain limited. In [...] Read more.

The MIKC-type MADS-box (MIKC) gene family is essential for controlling various plant developmental processes, including flowering time and dormancy transitions. Although the MIKC gene family has been widely studied across different plants, its characterization and functional study in herbaceous peony remain limited. In this study, 19 Paeonia lactiflora Pall. MIKC-type (PlMIKC) genes were identified from the transcriptome of a low-chilling requirement Paeonia lactiflora Pall. cultivar ‘Hang Baishao’. These MIKC genes were categorized into seven clades: six were classified as MIKC^C-type, including FUL/AP1, DAM, PI, AGL18, AGL12, AG, and SOC1, and one, AGL30, was classified as MIKC*-type. Notably, the FLC clade genes were absent in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. The PlMIKC genes were predominantly localized to the nucleus, and their sequences contained highly conserved MADS and K-domains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that PlMIKC genes share a strong evolutionary affinity with the MIKC genes from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa). A low-temperature-induced bud dormancy transition (BDT) experiment revealed that PlMIKC genes, such as PlFUL and PlDAM, were highly expressed during dormancy maintenance, while PlSOC1, PlAGL12, and PlAGL30 were upregulated during BDT. Additionally, the transient overexpression of PlSOC1 in ‘Hang Baishao’ significantly accelerated BDT and promoted bud break, suggesting that SOC1, traditionally linked to flowering regulation, also plays a key role in dormancy transition. Since limited literature on the MIKC gene family is currently available in herbaceous peony, this study expands the knowledge of the MIKC genes in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and offers valuable insights into the molecular regulation of bud dormancy in response to low temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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19 pages, 1799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Induction of UV-B Stress Tolerance by Momilactones and Gibberellic Acid in Rice

by Ramin Rayee, La Hoang Anh and Tran Dang Xuan

Crops 2025, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5010006 - 10 Feb 2025

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of momilactone-rich bran fractions (MRBF) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the physiological responses, biochemical composition, and antioxidant activity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under UV-B stress. Rice seedlings were treated with MRBF (3 mg mL [...] Read more.

This study aims to investigate the effects of momilactone-rich bran fractions (MRBF) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the physiological responses, biochemical composition, and antioxidant activity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under UV-B stress. Rice seedlings were treated with MRBF (3 mg mL⁻¹), or GA3 (50 and 100 µM) by foliar spraying, then exposed to UV-B-induced stress for 0, 1.5, and 3 h. Phenolic acids and endogenous momilactones A (MB) and B (MB) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS). The results demonstrated that UV-B stress reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid, which were significantly elevated by GA3 and GA3 + MRBF treatments. MRBF alone increased proline concentrations by 18.33%, while GA3 significantly enhanced total flavonoid content (TFC), and GA3 + MRBF raised total phenolic content (TPC). Among identified phenolic acids, sinapic, ferulic, and salicylic acids were notably elevated under MRBF and 3 h UV-B stress, while cinnamic and gallic acids were markedly reduced. The highest endogenous MA content was found in MRBF-treated plants under 1.5 h UV-B stress, with significant MA and MB concentrations also in plants treated with 50 µM GA3 + MRBF after extended UV-B exposure. This combination also enhanced antioxidant activities and reduced rice seedlings’ oxidative stress index (OSI) by 30.55%. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship of MA with TPC and proline. Together, these results support the potential role of momilactones in regulating UV-B stress tolerance in rice; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation require further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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28 pages, 25101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responses of the Leaf Traits of Ten Common Green Space Plants in Nanjing to Urban Green Space Environments

by Yuanlan Zhang, Chunyan Ma, Rui Lian, Di Zhang, Qianqian Sheng and Zunling Zhu

Forests 2025, 16(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020216 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 578

Abstract

Leaf functional traits are an important part of plant adaptive strategies and respond differently to different environments, but our understanding of how plants adapt to highly complex urban environments through coordinated changes in leaf functional traits is limited. In order to deeply explore [...] Read more.

Leaf functional traits are an important part of plant adaptive strategies and respond differently to different environments, but our understanding of how plants adapt to highly complex urban environments through coordinated changes in leaf functional traits is limited. In order to deeply explore the effects of different urban environments on the leaf functional traits of landscape plants, this study focused on ten common landscape plants in Nanjing, specifically, Euonymus japonicus, Pittosporum tobira, Loropetalum chinense, Photinia × fraseri, Acer palmatum, Euonymus japonicus ‘Aurea-marginatus’, Platanus acerifolia, Camphora officinarum, Ginkgo biloba, and Lagerstroemia indica. The study employed one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), and membership function comprehensive evaluation to explore the responses of green space plants to the environments of urban park green spaces (PAR), urban community green spaces (NL), and urban road green spaces (CR) and to analyze the impact of the trade-off strategies of plants in different green space environments based on leaf functional traits. The results showed that plant leaf functional traits and their adaptive strategies varied in different urban environments in Nanjing. The contents of LDMC, MDA, POD, and CAT in the ten plant species followed the order CR > NL > PAR, and SLA, SOD, SS, and total chlorophyll showed trends of PAR > NL > CR. The microstructures of the leaves of the ten plant species, such as SA, TUE, and TS, were evident in the expression of adaptive adjustments to the different green space environments. The principal component analysis and the comprehensive evaluation of the affiliation function of the indicators of the ten plant species revealed that the adaptability of the ten green space plants to the complex urban environment was as follows: Euonymus japonicus ‘Aurea-marginatus’ > Lagerstroemia indica > Acer palmatum > Photinia × fraseri > Platanus acerifolia> Camphora officinarum > Loropetalum chinense > Ginkgo biloba > Euonymus japonicus > Pittosporum tobira. The results of the study will help to further understand the layout, application, and maintenance of landscape plants in the context of urbanization and provide support for related theories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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17 pages, 2603 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Specific Differences in the Clonality of Hippophae tibetana at Different Altitudes in Alpine Meadows of the Eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

by Yongkuan Wan, Nana Ding, Tingting Tian, Kun Sun and Baoli Fan

Forests 2025, 16(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010107 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 555

Abstract

Dioecious plants have different needs for natural resources due to sex differences, which can lead to skewed sex ratios. Clonal growth facilitates and optimizes resources of clonal plants. So, dioecious plants show inter-sex differences in clonality. However, it is unclear how the clonality [...] Read more.

Dioecious plants have different needs for natural resources due to sex differences, which can lead to skewed sex ratios. Clonal growth facilitates and optimizes resources of clonal plants. So, dioecious plants show inter-sex differences in clonality. However, it is unclear how the clonality varies between female and male plants when they exhibit skewed sex ratios along an altitudinal gradient. Here, we investigated the sex ratio and clonality of Hippophae tibetana populations growing at three altitudes in the alpine meadow. We founded that (i) H. tibetana growing at different altitudes mainly consisted of II and III age classes, with a significantly male-biased sex ratio observed at a low altitude, a female-biased ratio at a middle altitude, and no significant sex-bias in the population at a high altitude. (ii) The population distribution was generally random at both low and high altitudes, while clustered at middle altitudes with an increasing scale. Meanwhile, the male and female populations at a low altitude showed a negative correlation, while the male and female at a middle altitude only showed a negative correlation at a 0–0.5 m scale, and spatial independence with increasing scales. (iii) Females of H. tibetana had a strong clonal capacity than male plants at a middle altitude, while the opposite was observed at a low altitude. The number of males of H. tibetana growing at a low altitude and with higher clonal diversity were higher than females at mid altitude. Our findings will contribute to the understanding of the sexual dimorphism exhibited by dioecious plants as well as the importance of a clonal adaptation in response to environmental change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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14 pages, 16811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenous Melatonin Boosts Heat Tolerance in Rosa hybrida via RhCOMT1 Modulation

by Chenyang Li, Zhiyin Ding, Zipeng Cai, Yongying Ruan, Peitao Lü and Yang Liu

Plants 2025, 14(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010029 - 25 Dec 2024

Viewed by 618

Abstract

Rosa hybrida is one the most commonly cultivated ornamental plant of economic importance and faces major challenges under heat stress. Melatonin has been widely shown to regulate plant stress response; however, the exact mechanism involved in heat stress in R. hybrida has yet [...] Read more.

Rosa hybrida is one the most commonly cultivated ornamental plant of economic importance and faces major challenges under heat stress. Melatonin has been widely shown to regulate plant stress response; however, the exact mechanism involved in heat stress in R. hybrida has yet to be determined. Here, we observed that R. hybrida in vitro plantlets supplemented with melatonin in the culture medium exhibited higher chlorophyll content, relative ion leakage, and fresh weight after 12 d of high-temperature treatment; the optimal concentration was established at 5 mg/L. Using molecular and biochemical techniques, we explored the roles of a melatonin synthase gene RhCOMT1, which expression was influenced by heat stress and melatonin. RhCOMT1 was located in the nuclear-cytoplasmic under ambient conditions, while heat stress translocated the distribution of RhCOMT1 to chloroplasts. Overexpression of RhCOMT1 in rose petal enhanced thermotolerance, and silencing of RhCOMT1 reduced thermotolerance via affect H₂O₂ content and relative ion leakage. These findings collectively emphasize the pivotal role of melatonin in enhancing thermotolerance to R. hybrida by alleviation of oxidative stress, through modulation of RhCOMT1 expression and location. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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17 pages, 2473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Combined Effects of Salt and Nitrogen Addition on the Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Antioxidant System, and Leaf Stoichiometry of Torreya grandis Sexes

by Yang Liu, Danyang Chen, Haochen Zhang and Songheng Jin

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2238; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122238 - 19 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 664

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that there are significant sexual differences in the physiological responses of Torreya grandis to environmental stress. However, little is known about its sex-specific differences in response to salt stress against the background of nitrogen (N) deposition. In this experiment, [...] Read more.

Previous studies have shown that there are significant sexual differences in the physiological responses of Torreya grandis to environmental stress. However, little is known about its sex-specific differences in response to salt stress against the background of nitrogen (N) deposition. In this experiment, two-year-old male and female T. grandis seedlings were used as experimental materials and exposed to moderate salt conditions and different N levels to study the effects of nitrogen addition and salt stress on the chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant system, and leaf stoichiometry of T. grandis seedlings. With the increase in nitrogen content, the contents of proline, malondialdehyde, superoxide anion, and H₂O₂ in the leaves of T. grandis seedlings under salt conditions gradually increased. The contents of these four metabolites in the leaves of male T. grandis seedlings were almost all higher than those of the female ones. Compared with the control group, the contents of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants increased under N addition treatments, especially for the low and moderate N addition groups. The results showed that moderate concentrations of N addition can mitigate the damage caused by salt, while high concentrations of nitrogen do not. Under conditions of salt and nitrogen addition, female T. grandis seedlings outperformed male ones, as evidenced by their higher photosynthetic pigment content, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced accumulation of intracellular cytotoxic metabolites, and higher carbon and nitrogen content in their leaves compared to those of male seedlings. The findings of this research will contribute to our understanding and offer a theoretical foundation for the cultivation of T. grandis seedlings in environments with nitrogen deposition and salinization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)

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